AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- I bet you can name many great leaders, but how many of us can name the followers that made them immortal? I can't really think of any great followers, because being a follower is usually an unsung role, even though followers are essential in accomplishing the mission.

Since joining the Air Force I've had my fair share of good and bad leaders; however, as I critically look back at my failed leader-follower relationships, I now believe that I didn't have bad leaders. Perhaps, I was just a “bad follower” (mea culpa).

You may find yourself in a bad leader-follower relationship. If you do, try to use the following techniques to help with your leader-follower relationship:

1. Listen and communicate. If you disagree (or worse negatively assume) with your leaders, it could be that you are wrong (yes…you could be wrong), and your boss is absolutely right. Listening, and asking your leaders to clarify their decisions, may make you agree more with their direction, rather than opposing it. Your boss likely wants your input so request clarification and ask him/her questions. You may find that listening and communicating will make your leader-follower relationship stronger and enhance the mission.

2. Trust and support. Sometimes you may not know the "big picture." If you did, maybe you would make the exact same decisions that your boss is directing and that you disagree with. Our profession of arms is founded upon following legal, ethical, and moral orders. It helps to know the details of what we do, but we don't necessarily need to know them to successfully accomplish the mission. It’s better to trust your leadership and support them, rather than to fight their decisions.

3. Get 'er done! If the direction that is given is moral, ethical, and legal then you're duty bound to carry that order out (with gusto!). Never be perceived as being negative or arousing others to not support your boss’s plan. Make it your own plan and positively influence others to carry out orders to support your leadership and get the mission accomplished.

Listening, communicating, trusting, and supporting your leaders will get you a long way to execute the mission. Following these techniques will ultimately make you a great leader too.